Automatic tensioning means for belt conveyers



March 1, 1949. .1. H. HOLSTEIN AUTOMATIC TENSIONING-MEANS FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed June 19, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmm. EN

March 1, 1949. J. H. HOLSTEIN A y 2,463,273

AUTOMATIC TENSIONING MEANS FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed June 19, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1, 1949. J. H. HOLSTEIN 2,463,273-

AUTOMATIC TENSIONING MEANS FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed June 19, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 1, 1949. J. H. HOLSTEIN AUTOMATIC TENSIONING MEANS FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed June 19, 194e 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jef PLA msrARy 83A ke Dev/1 BRAKE DRUM OF;=

"""v gli Patented Mar. 1, 1949 AUTOMATIC TENSIONING MEANS FOR BELT CONVEYERS John H. Holstein, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 19, 194.6, Serial No. 677,740

22 claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in belt conveyors, and more particularly relates to irnprovements in a tension means for maintaining tension on the slack side of the belt for a belt conveyor of the sectional type adapted for use underground in mines.

Sectional beit conveyors of the type used in mines underground usually run from 300 to one or two thousand feet long. When the belt is normally loaded, the pull and load on the upper run of the belt will stretch it and place a relatively high tension thereon, while there will be little, ii any, tension on the slack side of the belt. rTension on the lower run or slack side of the belt to compensate for this stretch in the belt, which is about ten per cent of the length of the upper run of the belt, has heretofore been taken up by hand-operated winding drums held by a ratchet, and by gravity take-ups having a weight moving downwardly into a pit. The digging of a pit deep enough to take care of the gravity take-up in mines underground is unduly expensive, especially since the entire conveyor is moved whenever the working place feeding the conveyor is worked out. The hand operated winch is also not effective on account of the human element, and the lack of provisions to take care of the load that is placed on the belt fasteners after the belt has discharged its load, when the tension on the upper and lower runs of the belt tends to become equal.

The principal objects of my invention are to remedy these difficulties by providing a novel form of means for maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt of a sectional belt conveyor, both while the conveyor is operating and in a loaded condition and is stationary in an unloaded condition.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a means for maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt of a belt conveyor of the sectional type which includes a tension idler having the lower run of the belt looped therearound, together with an automatlcally operable power driven means for moving the tension idler in a direction to take up tension on the belt and permitting said tension idler to move in a direction to relieve tension from the belt, when belt tension is above a predetermined value.

A further object of my invention is 'to provide a winding means driven by a tension idler of the belt conveyor and having a cable wound thereon for moving said tension idler in a direction to maintain tension thereon, together with a novel form of drive and control means therefor, operated by tension on the cable and operable to hold the idler in a predetermined position, and also to permit the belt idler to move in a direction to relieve tension from the belt when the tension thereof exceeds a predetermined value.

These and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the drive end of a sectional belt conveyor having a take-up means constructed in accordance with my invention emobdied therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view with certain parts of the conveyor broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section, in order to show certain details of the belt take-up constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation of the belt take-up means showing certain parts thereof in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through the winding drum for the belt take-up;

Figure '7 is an end View of the winding drum with certain parts thereof shown in substantially longitudinal section; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing certain operative positions of the operating and control means for the take-up device.

In the drawings, the belt conveyor illustrated may be of a sectional type including a framework consisting of a plurality of transverse supporting standards detachably connected together by suitable spacing members. Said spacing members and standards have belt supporting idlers mounted thereon and form a means for supporting the upper and lower runs of a conveyor belt lll in a manner somewhat similar to that shown and described in Patent No.. 2,373,839, which issued to J. R. Madeira on April 17, 1945, and are not herein shown since they are no part of my present invention. Said spacing members and standards are connected adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor to an intermediate elevating frame li, to incline the belt upwardly to a discharge position. Said intermediate frame is connected to a drive end frame l2 having'an overhanging discharge end I3 with an idler roller I4 j ournaled therein about which the belt reverses its direction of travel. From said idler roller the belt travels in a forward direction over and around a drive roller I5 and rearwardly therefrom and over and around a drive roller I6. From said drive-roller said belt travels forwardly along the -l'wer portion of the frame I2 over an idler IB mounted at the rear end of the intermediate frame II and forwardly therefrom, arid is looped around an idler I'I, adjacent the forward end of said intermediate frame. 'Said-b'e1-t is then looped around a movable tension idler mI9 and extends forwardly therefrdmal'ongthe'intrsupported in the belt supporting standards mentioned before, to and around 4'an idler roller (not shown) at the receiving end of the conveyor.

The tension idler I9 is mounted on aftransv'erse shaft which is journaled in a movable frame v2|, 'as indicated in Avligurez. Said frame is'of la rectangular formation "having 'flanged track wheels i22,122 mounted `at its oppositesides ad- `jacent oppositeV ends thereof. Said track wheels ride fonlthefinsi'des of the lowerfiange's of I-beams "23, 23, which Vformside frame members of the roller'bearing 3|,"see also Figures S'V'an'd 6. rSaid cable is'fadapte'd'to'be trained fr'msaid Winding jdrurnv around a sheave 32, ymounted *on va bracket 33 extending upwardly from a rearsta-tion'ary 'portion'of the intermediate frame Il. From'said sheave'said cablefextends in a `forward direction *and is connected at its free end'toa hook 34 threaded on the forward end of an eye-bolt''. Said eyeb'olt vis slidably-mounted in ``a retaining member SB'for afprelo'aded spring '3l encircling saidv eyebolt, and is *yieldably connected 'to 'the frame '2l throughy said spring. Saidi'retainin'g member is mounted in abracket'whichextends from a bottomplate 390i the 'frame 2I towards the drive rollers I5 and I6. The preloaded spring 31, encircling said eyebolt, isinterp'osed between the retainingmember 3B and'fa 'retaining-member fill mounted adjacent the opposite i'endof Hsaid eyebolt, on a sleeve "4I encircling and' extending along said eyebolt and suitably secured thereto.

Lock nuts"ll2,'42 serve to hold said retaining member on said eyebolt and to adjust'thetension of said spring so as to load said `spring tothe de` lsired extent. said spring 'is loaded Vtothetension desired in the lower run'of the belt so that as cable iswound It should here beunderstood that on said winding drum,'the frame'ZI fand rtension idler I9 willbe movedvtowards the drive'rollers III and I5 through said spring'until thepull o'n vsaid spring is suchas 13o-'compress itto operate a controly and holdi'ngmeans for holding l:said winding drum from rotation, 'as willV hereinafter `more clearly appear as this-specification proceeds.`

The transverse shaft is journaled adjacent one of its ends in a suitable *L bearing A-l ra`clIet -formed in a sideplate It-'extending along-fand upwardly from the plate 39, andis journaledfadpacent itsoppositej end in a bearingfIl-'imounted wit-hin the sleeve 29. `Said*shaftris-Ydriven from f 4 the tension idler I9 through a chain and sprocket drive 49. Said chain and sprocket drive includes a sprocket 59 keyed on the hub of a one-way clutch 5I, see Figure 4. A driven member E2 of 5 said clutch is keyed on said shaft, for driving said shaft from said sprocket when the belt is 'moving from its receiving to l'discifrar-gej end, and -to prve'nt'driving of saidfshaftwhenthe direction of said sprocket is reversed, so tension may be l0 Yheld on or released from the belt when its direction Vof travel is reversed. Said one-way clutch rn'ayfbe'of any'well known form of free wheeling clutch and may be of the ball type, which is comlmon'l rred toas a one-way ball clutch. A gearedireduction device 53 controlled by 'a friction "band 54 is provided to drive the sleeve 29 and said winding drum. A brake drum `55 engaged by 'a friction band 5B is provided to -l'ld'fs"a`id winding drum from rotation.

The planetary geared reduction device includes a sun fgear f5? fkeyed "on the transverse fshaft 39 lfand 'meshing withia vplanetary pinion 159 rotat- 4=ablyfm'ountedlinf'a cage '60. 4Said ca'geis 'herein shown-las being formed integrally with 'a sleeve'f-'SiL 25 which has -3the sleeve 529 fand the-brake -drumf keyed thereon. The planetary piniOn'ESme'shes xvwith'and'drivesIlaninternalfg'ear T612, h'ereinfshown as bein'g'cuton the uriner periphery lof afcasin'g E(i3 5 fdr Lsaid planetary geared reduction `mecha- 30 nism. `Said easing Afis jurnaled on the'sleeve'tl #and is cclosedby an endfplfatell journaled "onfthe `:shaft `'30. `"Ilie7 outer .i periphery of 5said casinglis fad'aptedito 'be 'engaged byf-the` frictionfban'd b4 -fer holding said casing from rotation. Said fricv 'tion 3band herein -shown "as being made 'upf of three pivotally Vconnected sections and said fric- 5#tinfba'n'diat-nld the meansffor :engaging vrit "with for disengaging it =from "said casing will herein- -after V'bee:riorefclearly described-'as -thislspecica- L10 =ti`n proceeds. Said internalagear when heldffrom vrotation-by"said friction v4band f forms 'a reaction -'fnem'ber for 'saioliplanetary,v cau'si-ngthe planetary A pinion -`59Ia1id=cage 69 'to mve therearound and 4rtatablyldrive 'th'e"`s`l'eeve '29 lfand -winding `vdrum '-45 Af2 Bfiat ia1reducedfspeed.

=A.1flawl*165,see`Figures-6 and '7;e`ngageable`zwith *ratchet teeth 159 vformed'integrally with thevouter rendfofthesleeve`f29Jis'provided to drive the wind- "ing 'drumi f2 6 'f froinfsaid r`sleeve-tand to permites'a-id v "winding'drumftobefreelyirotated; to pei-mitcable rv'55fsupporting 'Lmember *68 hextending along #and E 39. Said cam shaft is operated by a rocking'arm opposite end intermediate the ends of an arm 8|, mounted on said cam shaft for pivotal movement with respect thereto and extending upwardly therefrom. Said arm is provided with a longitudinally slotted upper end portion opening at its top, which is adapted to be sldably engaged by a pin 83 extending inwardly from the upper end of a lever arm 84. Said lever arm is pivoted adjacent its lower end on the bottom plate 39 on a transverse pin 85. Said pin is herein shown as being mounted at its ends in a support member 85, secured to the underside of said plate and extending therethrough along opposite sides of said lever arm.

The lower portion of the lever arm 84 is forked and has an eye 81 of the eyebolt 35 extending between the furcations thereof and pivotally connected thereto on a pivotal pin 88. A stop 93, see Figure 8, is provided on the outer side of the arm 8|, adjacent the rocking arm 19, and is adapted to engage opposite faces of a stop 94 on the inner side of said rocking arm, intermediate its ends, to limit movement of said rocking arm in one direction or another. Thus as the lever arm 84 moves the arm 8| past a dead center position with respect to the rocking arm 19, the spring 80 will instantaneously pivot said arm 19 and the cam shaft 13.

When the spring 31 is in the extended position shown in Figures 3 and 8, the cams 14 and 15 will be in position to release the friction band 55 from its brake drum 55 and permit the friction band 54 to be applied to the casing 53 to hold the internal gear 62 of the planetary 53 from rotation. This will connect the sprocket to drive the sleeve 29 and winding drum 25 in a winding direction through said planetary at a reduced speed, and move the frame 2| and tension idler I9 towards the drive rollers I5 and I6 by means of the cable 21. As the stretch in the belt I0 is taken up by movement of said tension idler towards said drive rollers and as the lower run of the belt is placed under tension, the pull of the cable 21 against said spring 31 will tend to compress said spring, and will compress said spring when its pull is above the preloaded value of said spring. When said spring is compressed, the lever arm 84 will move in a clockwise direction to the position shown by broken lines in Figure 8. This will pivot the cam shaft 13 in a counterclockwise direction through the arm 8|, the spring 80, and the rocking arm 19 and will move the cams 14 and 15 to the position shown by broken lines in Figure 8. When said cams are in this position, the friction band 54 will be released from the planetary 53 and the brake band 56 will be applied to the brake drum 55, to hold the winding drum 25 from rotation and hold the tension idler in fixed relation with respect to said drive rollers I5 and I6, until tension on the lower run of the belt increases to an extent sufficient to cause the cable 21 to unwind from said winding drum against said brake band, and relieve tension on the lower run of the belt.

It should here be understood that under normal operating conditions when slack in the belt has once been taken up and tension has been placed on the slack side of the belt, that the friction band will be applied to the brake drum 55 to hold the tension idler in fixed relation with respect to the drive rollers I5 and I6, and that the only time tension on the lower run of the belt increases to the extent necessary to allow said winding drum to unwind against the friction band 56, is when the conveyor has discharged its load arm II5.

or a greater part of its load and is stopped. Since the conveyor belt will stretch elastically as much as 1.50% under load, the removal of such load will cause the belt to contract to its no load length. Since the difference in tension between the driving side and the slack side of a belt is a function of the power or load transmitted thereby, the release of such load will cause the tension in the slack side to become substantially the tension on the upper running or driving side of the belt.

The operating and controlling connections from the cams 14 and 15 to the respective friction bands 54 and 55 are as follows: The cam 14 ls adapted to be engaged by a roller on the outer end of a rocking arm 96. Said rocking arm is freely mounted on a transverse shaft 91 mounted at one of its ends in the side plate 45 and at its opposite end in an extension 99 of the support 11, see Figure 2. An upwardly projecting arm |00 is herein shown as being formed integrally with said rocking arm and is connected with the upper end of said friction band through an adjustable link IUI. Said friction band has an intermediate section |04 having a lug |05 projecting outwardly therefrom. A tension spring |06 is connected to said lug at its lower end and to the lower end of a threaded rod |01 at its upper end, to hold said friction band lightly in engagement with the outer periphery of the casing 63. Said rod extends through a bracket |08 projecting from an upright leg |09 mounted on and projecting upwardly from the bottom plate 39. A plurality of lock nuts ||0 threaded on the upper end of said rod, abut the top of said bracket and form a means to hold said rod to said bracket and to adjust the tension of said spring.

The end of the friction band 54 opposite from the link I0l is pivotally connected to the lower end of a rod III which is slidably mounted in a flanged sleeve I I2 for movement in the direction of the axis of said sleeve. Said flanged sleeve has trunnion pins II3, II3 projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof which pivotally engage slots I I4, I4, opening upwardly from a bifurcated Said arm is formed integrally with the rocking arm 96 and projects therefrom towards the cam shaft 13. A compression spring IIB encircles said rod and is interposed between the flange of said flanged sleeve and a collar ||1 mounted on the end of said rod opposite from said flanged sleeve. Lock nuts IIB, II8 are provided to hold said spring to said rod and to adjust the tension of said spring and load it to the desired extent.

The spring I I6, preloaded by adjustment of the nuts IIS, II8, thus applies the friction lband 54 to the outer periphery of the casing 83 to hold the internal gear 62 from rotation when the roller 95 is on the low side of the cam 14. When said cam is pivotally moved effected by pull of the cable 21 on the spring 31 to the extent sufficient to compress said spring, the roller 95 will ride on the high side of said cam, to release said band from said planetary, and disconnect said winding drum from the drive sprocket 50.

The friction band 56 is of a sectional construction much like the friction band 54 and is held in light engagement with the brake drum 55, by means of a tension springV II9 connected to an intermediate section |20 of said friction band at one of its ends, and connected at its opposite end to a threaded rod I2I adjustably mounted in a bracket |22 projecting from the leg.1|89, like the threaded rod |01 for the spring |06. Said fric- :from :opposite :sides of Ia fflanged fsleeve |30..

@tenerezza :tion band. is .connected-,attits upper -.,end tto the upper and :of `a vrocking farm tl 23 through an ad- .instable connecting link @12x-l.

.An :arnisl25 .is formed integrally lwith fsaid trucking arm :and :extend-s f therefrom, and has .a-roller 126 `on its-eend lwhich is adapted ;to -.-en'g=age the ycam 75. vAnffarm ft2? iis Eformed integrally with said :rocking arm and has laterally ,spaced upwardly opening slotted portions A1F28, jlf2@ 4adapted 'tof be engaged by '.trunnion .pins 129, iWfl, :projecting -laterall rrod il-3l .ispivotally :connected to .the iend of =said ifrrictionzbandlopposite from y'the yElink :|213 and vis :mounted for :slidable movement Ain the :sleeve lrll. Theiupper-portion of saidrod isrencircled :by .a compression spring 433 .which isinterposed A.between vthe flange lof saidanged .sleeve fand-.a v`Wash'erflttlheldtosfsaid rod byilocknuts-l 35. :Said lock? nutsffbesides holding :said 4washer and spring `(and scope thereof. Furthermore, Ido notwishito ybe construed Y'as limiting Amy invention to the specic embodiment illustrated, excepting V.as it -lmay be limited .in .the appendedclaims.

:I claim vas my invention:

1. In combination with abelt conveyor ineludving a belt trained about radrive.-rollerfaoljacent the 'discharge end ofthe conveyor; and meansfor maintaining a predetermined .tension ont-the slack si-deci thexbelt bothwhile the conveyoris voperat- -finglandstationary including a tension idlerhaving .said belt trained therearound, and mountedifor Amovement rtvitlifrespect -tofsaid drive roller inwa direction to take up saidbelt or to relievetension therefrom, and a-'power driven -winding means lfor .moving .said tension idler, and Ameans, responsive tothe vtension in .the'lower run .of Asaidlbelt .for .controllingsaid power Winding means, .said ypower.WindingmeansY being `operable to. move said 'tension idler in a direction to maintain agpredetermine'd tension on' the'lower run of saidbelt.

"12. In combination'with a belticonveyorincluding a belt `trained kabout 4a A'drivel roller adjacent the discharge endof 'the zconveyoryand means for maintaining a predetermined tension onthe n.'Slackside-'Oithe belt both-While thefconveyor is "operating Aand stationary 'including va `tension idlerhaving said'fbelt trainedtherearound'an'd r Ym'ountedfor 'movement Ewith respect tofsaiddri-ve .:roller, .ra power driven winding #drum having lia :cable i adapted to rJbe `Wound -Lthereon `zorpayed :o'ff `therefrom, an operative :connection from fsaid cable `tosaid tension idlenfor; movingsaidrten'sion idler with: respect. tof said drive frol'lenzaand drive :'-andfcontrol means forvsaidwinding:.dnum responsiveto the tension intheflower runfofssa-id belt, operable to move sai-d" tension .idleri-towards :said-drive roller-When the tension on^the lower -run of lsaid belt is belovv4 a predeterminedwalue, .andtdpermit -said belt .to move said tension v,idler raway. from said drive roller when the ten-sionz of t.saidy beltis` above said. predetermined value,..and -to holdsaid drum rfrom .rotation .Whentension on 'the lower run of the Ibelt .is .at .-said, pred.e

".termine'd value.

3. ,-In combination lwith 11abelt-feonveyoriinclud- .finge .belt ...trained about .aldrive ;rol ler...adjacent the .discharge lend of the .conveyon .and means :for .maintaining a predetermined zztensonion .fthe slack lside of Tthe l;.belt.both fwhil'elthe :conveyor is -operatingandistationary-including aitensi'on idler .having .-s-aid belt trained -therearound -and ,mounted for movement -:Withsreslflect-,tosaiddrive rollen a'powerdriven winding drum havinga flo y,cableadapted .tofbefwound thereon orfplycd I,off

therefrom, an operative connection A.from y.fsaid ,cable to said .tension-idlerfformoving saidtension v idler .With respect vto said drive roller, andwdrive and control means for said Winding drurndnolu'd- 15 :ing-a brake ,for lholding -saiddrumy fromirotation ..in.fan lunwinding:.direc,tion,.butoperable ..to,.permit .said l drum to .unwind .when fthe qtension `nonl :said -abelt is above f a vpredetermined tvalue, geen reduc- .tion,meansioperableto ,drivelsaidlwindingdrum .Z and lmeans `roperable by .tension ,on `said belt to .releaseesaidrbrakeand .cause .said ,gear reduction vrrneansito drive. said drum in afdirectioneto Wind `cable vthereon and ymove .said @tension lidler .to- .Wardsisaid driverollerfuntil.tensionon said belt g .reaches `@predetermined tvalue.

4. ,Inf combination vWitha lbeltk ,conyeyorinclu'd- .inga `belt `trained about .a .drive .roller vadjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, `and means 4for .maintaining a predetermined .tension .en the 30 slackside .of .the lbeltboth While .the conveyoris operating. and-stationaryincludinga tension `idler ,having .said '..belt .trained therearound .and .mounted `1or,move1nent :.Withrrespect to said. drive rol-ler, za power ...driven .winding drum, la cable druma anoperativeconnection 'from saidoable Iito `said .tension v,idler fior .moving .said .tension idler .with respect to .said drive rollen and 1,drivefand .control .,rmeans .for .said .Win'ding .drum 'including lola ,brake `for .holding said drum from :rotation in ,an Lunwinding direction, `.but .operable `to .permit said .drum rto .,unwind When ,the ...tension Yon ,said belt ,is ,above .a predetermined value gear. reduction means -operablegto drive y,said .Winding drum,

means operable ,bytensionon saidbeltfto cause sai'dge'ar reductionmeans to Adrive said .ldrumin a .direction to wind .cablethereon .and;move,said "tension 'idler 'toward said drive roller until :tension on .said `belt .reaches ,a `predetermined 5ov value, other means operable"tonapnlysaidbraking means to' hold said 4.Winding .drum from V,rotation andholdtension on saidbelt, .When tension gon Vlthe slack side of said .belt reaches ga predeitermined value, .andoperableto permitisaid .drum

to unwind against said brakinglmeans andx permit,

. said tension idler'l 'tdmoveA away from said .drive rollervvhen' tension onthe Vslafikfs'i'de df-sa'd` belt v4exceeds said predeterminedvalue.

v5. In combination With, abelticonvoyOrJncludfing a belt 'trained .about a..drive...rollerr adjacent "thedischarge end o'f'the conveyor, andumeans for 'maintaining a predetermined tension .on the 'sla'ck side;ofthe beltboth while theoconveyorfis 'operating and stationary.` including agtension; idler having said. belt trainedtherearound.andmountedlfor movement with respect to. saidl'drive. roller tinidirectionstotake up s aidblt orgtomlievetension therefrom, a Winding drum,f a;cabl.e. adapted Liid'bevvound` on orpayed .olif oisai'djdrmmandhav- ,70 "ing `connection with, said idler Ifor moving ,.sad

vidlerin aidirectionto take up. said be1.tplanetary gear reduction meansv for `driving said .winding drum, a holding .means .,engageable with ssaid jlilanetary gear reduction .means for controlling A:'75 fgperationthereon'and meansnperablekbyetension on said belt to engage said holding means with said planetary gear reduction means, to cause said planetary gear reduction means to drive said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon and to move said tension idler in a direction to take up said belt until tension on said belt reaches a predetermined value.

6. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt both while the conveyor is operating and stationary including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller in directions to take up said belt or to relieve tension therefrom, a winding drum, a cable adapted to be wound on or payed olf of said drum, and having connection with said idler for moving said idler in a direction to take up said belt, planetary gear reduction means for driving said winding drum, holding means engageable with said planetary gear reducton means for controlling operation thereof, and means operable by tension on said belt to engage said holding means with said planetary gear reduction means, to cause said planetary gear reduction means to drive said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon and to move said tension idler towards said drive roller until tension on said belt reaches a predetermined value, said means being operable to apply said brake and release said holding means when tension on the slack side of said belt reaches said predetermined value.

'i'. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt both while the conveyor is operating and stationary including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounte'd for movement with respect to said drive roller in a direction to take up said belt or to relieve tension therefrom, a winding drum, a cable adapted to be wound on or payed off of said drum and having connection with said idler for moving said idler in a direction to take up said belt, planetary gear reduction means for driving said winding drum, holding means including a pair of brakes engageable with said planetary gear reduction means for controlling operation thereof, and means operable by tension on said belt to engage said holding means with said planetary gear reduction means, to cause said planetary gear reduction means to drive said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon and to move said tension idler towards said drive roller until tension on said belt reaches a predetermined value, said means being operable to apply one of said brakes and to release the other of said brakes when tension on the slack side of said belt reaches said predetermined value, and including a shaft, a rocking arm on said shaft, a preloaded spring operatively connected with said rocking arm for urging said rocking arm in one direction, and a connection between said cable and said spring for moving said tension idler with respect to said drive roller and for pivoting said rocking arm and shaft in a direction opposite to which it is pivotally moved by said spring.

8. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt both while the conveyor is operat- 'for releasing said ing and stationary including a tension idler hav-f, ing said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller ina direction to take up said belt or to relieve tension therefrom, a winding drum, a cable adapted to be ycontrolling operation thereof, and means operable by tension on said belt to engage said holding means with said planetary gear reduction means,

' to cause said planetary gear reduction means to drive said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon and to move said tension idler towards said drive roller until tension on said belt reaches a predetermined value, said means being operable to apply one of said brakes to release the other of said brakes when tension on the slack side of said belt reaches said predetermined value, and including a shaft, a rocking arm on said shaft, a preloaded spring operatively connected with said rocking arm for urging said rocking arm in one direction, a connection between said cable and said spring for moving said tension idler with respect to said drive roller and for pivoting said rocking arm and shaft in a direction opposite to which it is pivotally moved by said spring, and means on said shaft having connection with said holding means and said brake for controlling operation thereof.

9. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt both while the conveyor is operating and stationary including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and l.mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller in a direction to take up said belt or to relieve tension therefrom, a winding drum, a cable adapted to be wound on or payed olf of said drum and having connection with said idler for moving said idler in a direction to take up said belt, planetary gear reduction means for driving said winding drum, holding means including a pair of brakes, engageable with said planetary gear operation thereof, and means operable by tension on said belt to engage said holding means with said planetary gear reduction means, to cause said planetary gear reduction means to drive said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon and to move said tension idler towards said drive roller until tension on said belt reaches a predetermined value, said means being operable to apply one of said brakes and to release the other of said brakes when tension on the slack side of said belt reaches said predetermined value, and including a shaft, a rocking arm on said shaft, a preloaded spring operatively connected with said rocking arm for urging said rocking arm in one direction, a connection between said cable and said spring for moving said tension idler with respect to said drive roller and for pivoting said rocking arm and shaft in a direction opposite to which it is pivotally moved by said spring, including a cam on said shaft for releasing said brake, another cam on said shaft holding means from said planetary, a pre-loaded spring for applying said brake upon movement of said associated cam to a released position, a preloaded spring for enreduction means for controlling.

alleanza gaging said holding means with said planetary' upon movement of said associated cam toa released position, said cams being oppositely dis posed to permit one. associated spring to apply said brake upon release of said holding means and said other associated spring to apply said holding means upon release oi said brake.

10. In combination with a belt conveyor in cluding a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means `for maintaining a predetermined tension on said belt including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller, a winding drum, a cable on said drum operative to move said tension idler towards said drive roller and to yhold said tension idler in fixed relation with respect thereto, and a drive con.- nection from said tension idler to said Winding drum for driving said winding drum in a wind ing direction, including drive and control means responsive to the tension in the lower run of said belt operable to drive said drum in a direction to take up said belt when the tension on the lower run of said belt is reduced below a predetermined value, for moving said tension idler in a direction to relieve tension from the lower run of said belt when tension of said belt is above said predetermined value.

11. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the kdischarge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on said belt including Aa tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movev ment with respect to said drive roller, a winding drum, a l'cable on said drum operative to move said tension idler with respect 'to said drive roller and to hold said drive roller in xed relation with respect thereto, and a drive connection from said tension idler to said winding drum for driving said winding drum .in `a winding direction, including drive gearing and control means there for operable by tension on said cable to .cause said gearing to drive said drum in a direction to take up said belt when tension on the slack side of said belt is reduced below a predetermined value, and means for holding said winding drum from rotation "and for holding said tension .idler in y:lxed relation with respect to said 'drive roller., kand for releasing said Adrum for rotation in an unwinding direction when tension on said belt Iexceeds said predetermined value, to permit said Atension idler to move away :from said drive roller fand relieve tension from ,said belt.

.1"2. In fcombination `=with a belt conveyor lincluding 'a belt trained about 1a drive roller ad jacent fthe discharge `end 'of the 'conveyor, and means .fior :maintaining a predetermined `tension on .the "slack side l'di the 'belt fboth while the conveyor .is operating and stationary, including a tension idler having :said bel-t .trained .therearound and fmoun'ted `for .movement `towards lor from isai'd -tdrive Lr'oll'er, -`a winding drum, a cable on said drum operative to .move :said .tension idler towards said Idrive :roller :and 4'to hold said drive iroller in -Xed relation with `respect ithereto, al'geared drive connection-from:saiditensionidler for driving said `drum in sa :winding ,drectiOn, braking fmeans :for holding said vwinding drum from rotation :and for `:releasing said Nwinding drum iforzrotation intan -unwindingdirection `and separate :control :means :for -said .drive gearing and said irbrlake means :and @parable :by Atension 12 on said cable to .cause said `drive gearing 'to drive said drum in .a direction to wind .cable `thereel'zl and vmove said .tension idler towards said driveI roller when tension on the lower run ci YSaid belt is below .a predetermined value, and te :cau-,gse said braking :means to .held said winding drum from rotation when tension on the llbWer of said belt reaches said predeter. ed Value and to. release said tension idler for movement away from said drive roller when tension on said belt exceeds a predetermined value.

13. In ycombinaation with :a belt Conveyor in cludine a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means ier maintaining a predetermined tension on the slack side of the belt both While the een. veyor is operating and stationary, including a tension idler having 4said belt trained therearound and Amounted for movement with respect to said drive roller, a yWinding drum, a'eahle `on said drum operative to move Said tension idler towards said drive roller and to hold ,said drive roller in iiXed relation with respect thereto, .a geared drive connection from ,said tension idler for driving said drum ,in a winding direction, braking means .for holding said Winding `drum from rotation and for releasing said winding drum for rotation an unwinding clizreetien,`

and separate control mea-,ns ier ,Said A`drive ,searing and said brake means .and

on said cable to ,cause said drive searing te dr-,ive said drum ina direction t@ Wind .Cable there@ and move said tension idler :towards said drive roller when tension on the lower` -run of said belt is below a predetermined value, and Ato cause said braking means te .bold said winding drum from rotation when tension on ,the lower run of said belt reaches a predetermined value, and to release said tension idler fermevement away 40 from said drive 4miler when tensien en said belt eXCeedS e .predetermined value, said control means including `a preloaded spring operatively connected with said cable, and operative yCen-- nections from said spring t0 said gearing, te cause said gearing to drive said drum n the tension of :said ,Spring is reduced below said ivredetermined value .and to r`apply said brake tension ,ofsaid `spring reaches said predetermined value.

14. 'In combination'. with a belt conveyor inl cluding a :belt trained about :a drive `roller .adjacent the discharge ,end df the conveyor, and means for maintaining fa :predetermined .tension on said belt Vincluding a tension ,idler having said belt strained therearoundvand mounted .for :movement with respect l.to said Tdrive roller, va lwinding drum, a cable -on said operative to Amove said tension idler towards fsaid drive roller and to hold said drive roller -in viixed relation vwith respect thereto, planetary `ldrive gearing, a dr-ive connection -lfrom said 'tension idler to 4said v,dri-ve gearing for ydriving said drum in a winding direction, holding means for controlling operation of Jsaid planetary drive gearing, A`bra-king means for fholding said drum "tromrotation and icrreleasins said drum ier ,retailer in illnwinding direction, and permitting said ,tension idler .il movement ,a dnection to ire `e :teman ,from the *lower run of said belt, wh tension of said beltisabevesad predetermined l alu@ and entrolimeans-orisaidbalding.means Il, e ,c ing .means ,operable Jqy .tensicn Qn :said .belt ,1.1- C1uding ,a preldaded spring reenacted .with ,said cable. ,and alsolhavinsfeenneetion ,said .ten-

erable by tension i sion idler for moving said idler with respect to said drive roller upon winding in of said cable.

15. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on said belt including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller, a winding drum, a cable on said drum operative to move said tension idler towards said drive roller and to hold said tension idler in iixed relation with respect thereto, planetary drive gearing, a drive connection from said tension idler to said drive gearing, for driving said drum in a winding direction, holding means for -controlling operation of said planetary drive gearing, braking means for holding said drum from rotation` and for redirection, for releasing said tension idler for movement in a direction to relieve tension from the lower run of said belt, when tension of said belt is above said predetermined value, and control means for said holding means and said braking means operable by tension on said belt including a preloaded spring connected with said cable, and also having connection with said tension idler for moving said idler with respect to said drive roller upon winding in of said cable, and another connection between said preloaded spring and said control means operable by compression of said spring effected by tension of said cable to operate said control means to apply said braking means and release said holding means when tension on said cable reaches a predetermined value, and operable by extension of said spring to operate said control means to release said braking means and apply said holding means when tension on said cable is reduced below said predetermined value.

16. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on said belt including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller, a winding drum, a cable on said drum operative to move said tension idler towards said drive roller and to hold said tension idler in fixed relation with respect thereto, planetary drive gearing, a drive connection from said tension idler to said drive gearing, for driving said drum in a winding direction, holding means for controlling operation of said planetary drive gearing, braking means for holding said drum from rotation and for releasing said drum .for rotation in an unwinding direction, for releasing said tension idler for movement in a direction to relieve tension from the lower run of said belt, when tension of said belt is above said predetermined value, and control means for said holding means and said braking means operable by tension on said belt including a .preloaded spring connected with said cable, and also having connection with said tension idler for moving said idler with respect to said drive roller upon winding in of said cable, and another connection between said preloaded spring and said control means operable by compression of said spring eiected by tension of said cable, to operate said control means to apply said braking means and release said holding means when tension on said cable reaches a predetermined value, and operable by extension of said spring to operate said control means to release said braking means and apply said holding means, when tenr sion on said cable is reduced below said predetermined value, said last mentioned -connection including a rocking shaft, a lever arm on said shaft, a connection from said spring to said lever arm for pivotally moving said lever arm and shaft in one direction upon compression of said spring by pull on said cable, and for pivotally moving said lever arm and shaft in an opposite direction upon extension of said spring, and operative connections between said shaft and said braking means for applying said holding means and releasing said braking means when said shaft pivots in one direction and for releasing said holding means and applying said braking means when said shaft pivots in an opposite direction.

17. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on said belt including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller, a winding drum, a cable on said drum operative to move said tension idler towards said drive roller and to hold said tension idler in xed relation with respect thereto, planetary drive gearing, a drive connection from said tension idler to said drive gearing, for driving said drum in a winding direction, holding means for controlling operation of said planetary drive gearing, braking means for holding said drum from rotation and permitting `said drum to rotate in an unwinding direction, and for releasing said tension idler for movement in a direction to relieve tension from the lower run of said belt, when tension of said belt is above said predetermined value, and control means for said holding means and said braking means operable by tension on said belt including a preloaded spring connected with said cable, and also having connection with said tension idler for moving said idler with respect to said drive roller upon winding in of said cable, and another connection between said preloaded spring and said control means for permitting tension of said cable to operate said control means to apply said braking means and release said holding means, and permitting said spring to operate said control means to release said braking means and apply said holding means 'l when tension on said cable is reduced below said predetermined value, including a cam on said shaft having operative connection with said holding means for releasing said holding means, and another cam on said shaft having operative connection with said braking means for releasing said braking means, said cams being oppositely disposed to release said holding means upon the applying of said braking means, and vice versa.

18. In combination with a belt conveyor including a belt trained about a drive roller adja-4 cent the discharge end of the conveyor, and means for maintaining a predetermined tension on said belt including a tension idler having said belt trained therearound and mounted for movement with respect to said drive roller, a winding drum, a cable on said drum operative to move said tension idler towards said drive roller and to hold said tension idler in Xed relation with respect thereto, planetary drive gearing, a drive connection from said tension idler to said drive gearing, for driving said drum in a winding direction, holding means for controlling operation of said planetary drive gearing, braking means for holding said drum from rotation and for relea-Sina.v said. drinny for: rotation in; an unwndirigz direction', and for: releasing said-:tension: idl. err for movement. in. a directionY to.x relieve; tension; from; the:- lower. run of: said; belt,qwhen tension of'. said; belt. is above; said predeterminedfvalue, and control. means7 for said hold-ing: means and Said raking: means operable: by tension on said belti including; a preloadedspring connected` with said cable; and, alsof havinggconnection with said tension. idler for'moving; said: idler with respect to. said driveI roller upon;- winding in.y or said cable, andY another connection betWeensa-id preloaded spring and said control means for permitting tension of said. cable.: to operatey said control.I means to apply said` brak-ing means andl release said. holdingvv means, and permitting; said spring to. operate said control means to release. said; braking; means andf.- apply said holding means when tensionon said cableis reduced below saidpredetermined value, including; two: oppositely-v disposed cams on said shalt and operative con-` nections. between: said cams. and, saidi hold-ingV meansV and said. braking: means, said# operative. connections including1 a preloaded spring; f or'ap` plying said; holdingv meansupon. movement ofsaid associated caml to aV released position and another preloaded: spring;A forr applying' said.. brakingl means upon movement oi said associa-ted cams to` a releasedposition.

1.9, In abelt conveyor includinga belttrained a around a drivef rollen( means fnrmaintaining aj predetermined; tension on. said belt: including;y a tension idler: havingF said belt trained therefaround andmountedfor movement with respect tor-said drive-roller in a direction to take-up.- said;rv

belt or to relieve tension. thereon,v a windingw drum; having. a` cable operatively connected to said tension` idler adapted tobewound thereon or-payed'therefrom-,U power means for driving-said drum in a direction to wind cable` thereon and. move said tension idler'in a direction. toitake up; said belt, and means. responsive to thev tension in theslack/side of. saidv belt. for controlling the power means to driveI said. drum; in.` a; direction to. wind cable thereon and movel said tension. idler ina direction to taire up said-belt and for controlling. said power meansI to,A pay offcable-v from; said drumA to move said tension idler in a direction to relieve tension on said belt.

20. In a belt conveyor including a, belt. trained around a drive roller,y meansr for maintaining: a predetermined tensionV on said belt including; a tension idler having said belt. trained there.- around andi mounted for movement with respect to said drivefroller'ina direction to take masa-id? belt or to relieve tension. thereon; a Winding: drum having a cable operatively connected; to. said. tension' idler; adapted to be: wound thereon` or payed therefrom, power means for driving.`

said drum; in. al direction to wind` cable thereon and movesaidtension.: idler in; a.- direction to take un said belt. when the tension;- on said b elt. is;

lcvelmfrv a. predetermined; amount.y and.. means; reay said tensionu idler in a direction to relieve ten-..

sion. on: said belt when the tension. on said belt. is. abovea predeterminedvalue.

21. In abelt conveyor. including a beltr trained, around. a; drive roller,v means.y for maintaining apredetermined tension on. said belt includinga. tension idler havingsaid belt trained there-. around and mounted for movement with` respect to said drive rol-ler in adirectionto take up said belt or torelievetension thereon, a winding drum having a cable operatively connected to said tene. sion. idler adapted tolbe wound thereon or payed therefromepower means-'for driving saiddrum in a direction` to wind, cable thereon vand, move saidtension idler in, a direction toy take up said belt, and means responsive tolv the tensioninsaid belt for controlling the power-meansto. drive Said drum in, a.. direction towind cable thereon andV move said tensionr idler in a. direction: to taleev up said belt.. and for controlling said power meansto pay 01T. cable iromsaiddruin toA movevv said; tension; idler in a direction to relieve tene, sion. on saidfbelt.

2,2., In a beltconveyor including a. belt trained; around.- a drive. roller,l means for maintaining; a.. predetermined tension on.. said belt.. including;E a.. tension idler having saidr belt trainedA there.-Y

, around andmounted for movementwitnrespect,

to, said drive. roller in` a direction, to, take up said.A belt or, torelieve tension thereon, a. winding drum, having a. cable operativelyv connected to said. ten. sion idler adapted to be wound, thereon or payed,

, therefrom, power meansvforl driving said, drum in a. direction. to wind cable thereonr and mover said. tension. idler in a. direction to. takeV up said. belt when the tension on said belt is below a, predetermined amount and means responsiveto the tension. inV said belt. for controlling the power means to, driyesaid drum in a direction to Wind` cable thereon and move said tension idler in` ay direction. to taleupsaidbelt and. for controlling Said power, means. to pay off cable lfrom said tomOye said. tension idler in a direction to relieve tension on said belt when they tension on Said; belt. is, above ar predeterminedl value.

JOHN HOLSTEIN- R-EFERENCES CITED fileof. this patent:

FQREIGN PATENTS Country. Date Certicate of Correction Patent No. 2,463,273. March 1, 1949.

JOHN H. HOLSTEIN It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specication of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 10, line 20, claim 8, after brakes insert and; column 13, line 18, claim 15, after the syllable and hyphen re insert leasing said drum for rotation 'in an unwindtng;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of July, A. D. 1949.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commtssz'oner of Patents. 

